By Michael Gordon
More than 250 prominent Australians have backed a motion calling for offshore detention centres on Manus Island and Nauru to be closed down if the Turnbull government is "unable or unwilling" to improve human rights and provide independent oversight.
Labor backbencher Melissa Parke circulated the petition to support the motion, which was discussed at Tuesday's meeting of the Labor Party caucus.
It came as Australia copped a barrage of criticism at a United Nations human rights forum over its treatment of asylum seekers. At the hearing in Geneva, representatives from more than 100 countries gave recommendations on how Australia should improve its human rights record.
A toned-down version of the motion signed by the artists was passed by Labor's party room, committing a future Labor government to "ensure the conditions of offshore processing meet with human rights standards and negotiate with PNG and Nauru for independent oversight of these facilities", and calling on the Turnbull government to do the same.
Australian feature film and documentary director Gillian Armstrong has backed the motion.Credit: Pat Scala
After what MPs described as a vigorous debate, the amended motion made no reference to the centres being closed if the government was "unwilling or unable" to deliver on human rights standards and independent oversight.
Labor's immigration spokesman, Richard Marles, spoke strongly against any commitment to close the centres, insisting they were an important element of the policy that had stopped boat arrivals.
Among dozens of high-profile figures from the arts to support the motion are director Gillian Armstrong, and authors Peter Carey, Tim Winton, Anna Funder and Thomas Keneally.
The list includes composers Christopher Gordon, David Hirschfelder, Guy Gross and Iain Grandage; writers Kate Grenville, Tony Horwitz and Linda Jaivin; actor Jack Thompson; playwright David Williamson and singers Missy Higgins and Hester Fraser, who is also Malcolm Fraser's granddaughter.
Author Tim Winton is one of a list of authors who have signed the motionCredit: Jay Cronan
Former captain of the Australian cricket team, Ian Chappell, also supports the motion, saying: "Our politicians talk a lot about refugees but you never hear the words: 'We're working on ways to end war and conflict so that the ever increasing number of refugees will be drastically reduced.' It's about time we started hearing politicians talking in this vein."
"I would be proud to add my name to the list of concerned Citizens for Change on Asylum Seekers," says Mr Thompson.
Aussie songstress Missy Higgins
"As a Goodwill Ambassador for UNHCR, I have produced four documentaries on the plight of refugees. They did not appear to be opportunists or victims, they looked like heroes to me, seeking refuge and a better life for themselves and their families in the face of extraordinary odds.
"I regard our current policy as inhuman and cruel. As an Australian citizen I am ashamed of our government's policy regarding asylum seekers."